Two employees of Azienda Elettrica Ticinese (AET) have died following a workplace accident at the old Ritom hydropower plant in Piotta, Switzerland.
The incident occurred on 9 September 2026. Local media reported that a fire and explosion occurred at the facility, although these details have not been confirmed by plant owner Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) or AET. No further information about the circumstances of the accident has been released..
Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), which owns the plant, and AET said they were mourning the two victims and expressed their condolences to their families.
Roberto Pronini, Director of AET, and Nicolas Ecoffey, Head of Energy at SBB, said they were deeply shocked by the accident.
The two companies are working with the relevant authorities, which are investigating the cause and precise sequence of events. SBB and AET said they would also conduct a thorough examination of the incident and identify any lessons arising from it.
The original 44MW plant, commissioned in 1920 to supply electricity to the Gotthard railway, is currently being replaced by a new 120MW pumped storage facility.
